As the new center director, she oversees about 300 students between 16 and 24 years old. They work on a number of issues as part of a residential education and vocational training program, ranging from helping students get their high school diploma to vocational skills training.

The center is currently trying expand its reach, partnering with local high schools and employers from Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties, along with Baltimore City.

She said she still finds the state lags behind others on employing its youth for a few reasons.

"I would say the biggest barrier that we experience here is driver's licenses," Johnson said.

The state requires residents to have at least 60 hours of practice driving while they still have their learner's permit before they can obtain a provisional driver's license, something the center can't provide and many young people struggle to obtain, Johnson said.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 86 percent of U.S. workers commuted by car to work in 2013.

"If they complete the program and find the employment somewhere where they have to travel, they're aren't able to get the license," she said.

In addition, students enrolled with Woodland routinely struggle with "soft skills" when they enter the job market, Johnson said.

That means getting to work on time, being attentive and not being distracted by cellphones, as well as accurately communicating with fellow co-workers. She said the most common feedback the center receives from employers is that they have to work harder on these aspects of their jobs.

"We're trying to create opportunities to practice that," Johnson said, adding that the center is in talks to find employers willing to work with the center to focus on improving students' soft skills.

The center is also trying to increase its enrollment to help tackle that high percentage of the young unemployed.

Johnson said they're exploring co-enrollment opportunities with local high schools as well as organizations like YO! Baltimore, a tutoring program for out-of-school youth between 16 and 22 years of age from Baltimore City.

"We're trying to change the stigma of Job Corps," she added.

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The City of Annapolis is preparing for President Donald Trump's visit on Friday, May 25 to address graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The City of Annapolis is preparing for President Donald Trump's visit on Friday, May 25 to address graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

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The City of Annapolis is preparing for President Donald Trump's visit on Friday, May 25 to address graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

The City of Annapolis is preparing for President Donald Trump's visit on Friday, May 25 to address graduating midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy.

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The Class of 2021 takes 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 35 seconds to complete the annual rite of passage, placing a cap at the top of the greased monument.

The Class of 2021 takes 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 35 seconds to complete the annual rite of passage, placing a cap at the top of the greased monument.

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The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office investigated a top aide to State’s Attorney Wes Adams for four months, responding to a complaint it said was filed anonymously from the prosecutor’s office.

The Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Office investigated a top aide to State’s Attorney Wes Adams for four months, responding to a complaint it said was filed anonymously from the prosecutor’s office.

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Body camera footage obtained by The Capital depicting the aftermath of a fight outside the Armadillos restaurant in March show an officer who claims to have sprayed Ryan Greenstreet, 23, of Huntingtown in Calvert County, and Michael Richardson, 21, of West River, with his department-issued mace.

Body camera footage obtained by The Capital depicting the aftermath of a fight outside the Armadillos restaurant in March show an officer who claims to have sprayed Ryan Greenstreet, 23, of Huntingtown in Calvert County, and Michael Richardson, 21, of West River, with his department-issued mace.

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Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh announced the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Maryland Transit Administration have entered into a partnership to increase security and law enforcement for Light Rail operations in the County.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steve Schuh announced the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the Maryland Transit Administration have entered into a partnership to increase security and law enforcement for Light Rail operations in the County.